The Germanic Runes are letters which were based on an ancient European alphabet. First evidence of the runic language appeared on stone monuments around north-western Europe at 150 BC.

However, Germanic mythology takes the origins of this language back even further. These pagan runes were known as ‘the Elder Futhark’ and legend says was written by the God Wodan (as early as 250 BC). The myth states that he hanged himself from a great tree for nine days and nine nights, entering a trance-like state where the mysteries of the cosmos were revealed to him.

In the minds of the Germanic people, these runes were far more than just a language. In old English, the word rune means ‘mystery’, and each symbol was said to represent a sound that resonated with the ‘other world’.

Each rune contained a mystery, which legend says could unlock a magical effect. By etching a rune onto an item, such as a sword, armour or wand, the pagans claimed it would become enchanted with great power.

This mysterious language was used by the Pagans for nearly a thousand years before being replaced by Latin when Europe was Christianised at 700 AD.

Isaac Asimov, one of the most prolific creators in science-fiction history, wrote or edited more than 500 books in his lifetime, including the high-profile ones we all recognize like I, Robot and the Foundation series (hear a version dramatized here). But which piece of this massive body of work did Asimov himself consider his favorite? Always a fan of clarity, the man didn’t leave that issue shrouded in mystery: the honor belongs to “The Last Question,” which first appeared in the November 1956 issue of Science Fiction Quarterly. It’s now available inIsaac Asimov: The Complete Stories, Vol. 1.

“Why is it my favorite?” Asimov later wrote. “For one thing I got the idea all at once and didn’t have to fiddle with it; and I wrote it in white-heat and scarcely had to change a word. This sort of thing endears any story to any writer.” But it also had, and continues to have, “the strangest effect on my readers. Frequently someone writes to ask me if I can give them the name of a story, which they ‘think’ I may have written, and tell them where to find it. They don’t remember the title but when they describe the story it is invariably ‘The Last Question.’”

The dreaded asteroid ‘Apophis’ Earth approaches. In Egyptian mythology, ‘Apophis’ was a god who personified the forces of evil and posed a threat to the order. Represented as a huge snake that lived in the waters of Nile, the Egyptians believed that eclipses were his doing. ‘Apophis’ is also the name that was named an asteroid more than 300 meters in diameter that scientists study with great interest because, according to his calculations, there is a risk, albeit remote, that hitting earth in the next decades. More likely it is to cause damage to communications satellites orbiting 36,000 kilometers away.

In the last hours, the asteroid is approaching Earth at a distance that is allowing astronomers to collect new data to study and calculate the best path in order to find out how much a threat to our planet. The time of closest approach, about 14.5 million kilometers, will occur during the night of Wednesday to Thursday, without imposing any danger to Earth. (By way of comparison, the moon is about 385,000 kilometers away from Earth).

Visits in 2029 and 2036

According to calculations of scientists, ‘99942 Apophis ‘, which was discovered in 2004 and was formerly known by the name MN4 ‘2004’, rub our planet on April 13, 2029, reaching some 30,000 kilometers away, but discarded which may cause a collision with the Earth at that time. However, it will be a real danger for geostationary satellites, which orbit at that distance.

More worrying seems the approach to our planet that the asteroid will in 2036. It is still early to know what his career that year and so far, they can only give probabilities. The chances of occurrence of an impact with Earth is very low, but still can not rule out a shock.

In 2004, when the asteroid was discovered, it was estimated that there was a 2.7% chance of a collision with Earth in 2029. However, the measurements were carried out subsequently discarded impacts that might occur.

Protecting the Earth

During its approach to Earth, the last weekend, the Herschel telescope of the European Space Agency (ESA) for two hours captured new images of ‘Apophis’, which revealed that this celestial body is larger than previously calculated. It was thought that was 270 meters in diameter. According ESA is 325 meters, a 20% more.

If an asteroid that size slammed into Earth, causing damage would be equivalent to the explosion of 25,000 atomic bombs of Hiroshima.

Fortunately, the impact of large celestial objects on Earth is a very rare phenomenon, but represents a real threat to our planet. Well aware of the dinosaurs, which became extinct 65 million years since the fall of a large meteorite.

Therefore, space agencies permanently monitor the cosmos to locate and track asteroids that could pose a danger to our planet.

‘Apophis’ is now considered one of the most disturbing objects in the medium term, as in 2029 and 2036 will occur the following approaches to Earth. Although it hits the Earth, could cause major economic losses by destroying orbiting satellites thousands of miles from Earth.

Russia is one of the most active countries in preparing a plan for the possible threat of ‘Apophis’. In the coming years plans to send a satellite to this asteroid for more accurate tracking of his career and has also raised a landing on its surface.

Furthermore, the mission ‘Don Quixote’ of ESA focused on the study of ‘Apophis’ to develop solutions that enable deflect the trajectory of an asteroid impact and avoid both the Earth as damage to communications satellites.

The approach to Earth ‘Apophis’ Wednesday will be a good opportunity for astronomers to better assess the risk that this celestial object will in the future for our planet.

On 15 February, astronomers will have the opportunity to observe much more closely to another asteroid. D414 is ‘2012 ‘, a celestial object is 57 meters in diameter, according to calculations of scientists, will be located just 34,500 kilometers away from our planet.

Now talk to each other about why these ideas would attract more tourists to the town.

Conversación entre candidatos (2 minutos)

– Candidate A: Shall I go first?

– Candidate B: Sure, go ahead.

– Candidate A: I believe that this option (señalando), “building a large nightclub”, will attract tourists, especially young ones who enjoy partying and going out with friends, don’t you think?

– Candidate B: Yes, I think so, too. However, it might not be the best type of tourism, because it can disturb neighbours and residents. How about having more shops?

– Candidate A: Oh, that’s a great idea. If the city offers a good shopping experience, many people will be attracted to it, which I guess is quite positive for everyone. Wouldn’t you agree?

– Candidate B: Yes, of course. Maybe that option could go hand in hand with building holiday flats because. The way I see it, you want tourists to spend more time in your city. So if you have plenty of shops and accommodation, it’s the perfect combination, right?

– Candidate A: Yeah, you’re absolutely right. But what do you think about the other two options? (señalando)? Do you think they’re a good idea?

– Candidate B: Well, if you ask me, putting up security cameras isn’t very appealing to anyone. But I suppose parks can be attractive, but I’m not sure how much exactly. What’s your take on those two options?

– Candidate A: As you said, security cameras are not appealing at all. As for parks, maybe they are a good thing for residents, but not for tourists, particularly.

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